Alvarado defeats Rios in another classic

In the second classic between them, Mike Alvarado (34-1, 23 KOs) won a scintillating twelve round unanimous decision over previously unbeaten former WBA lightweight champion Brandon Rios (31-1-1, 22 KOs) to claim the vacant WBO interim jr welterweight title on Saturday night in front of a crowd of 5,418 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.

It took about half-a-round before the war was on. Rios rocked Alvarado in round two and had him staggered, but Alvarado returned the favor and rocked Rios in round three. Alvarado shaded the fourth, and Rios had the advantage in the fifth. Alvarado’s face showed plenty of damage entering round six, while Rios was relatively unmarked. Rios had the upper hand in rounds six and seven, but Alvarado landed huge bombs to stagger Rios in the eighth. Alvarado’s movement somewhat neutralized Rios’ pressure in the late rounds, but Rios began to connect again in the eleventh. Alvarado boxed beautifully in the twelfth. Scores were 115-113, 115-113, 114-113.

Rios, who won the first fight by seventh round TKO, immediately called for a third fight. Alvarado said let’s do it, this time in Colorado. Both fighters were taken directly to the hospital after the fight.